SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0601
* SpaceNews 01-Jun-98 *
BID: $SPC0601
=========
SpaceNews
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MONDAY JUNE 1, 1998
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It
is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use.
* KITSAT-OSCAR-25 NEWS *
========================
The problem with KITSAT-OSCAR-25's uplink receiver appears to have been
resolved. The satellite became unresponsive to user uplink signals
on 1998-May-17. On 1998-May-28, the satellite was not only responding
to user uplink signals, but was responding on BOTH uplinks (145.870 and
145.980 MHz). Directory listings show that the satellite activity logs,
LEED surveys, and EIS (Earth Imaging System) data collections started
up again on 1998-May-25, just three days before the satellite became
available again for general use.
* FUJI-OSCAR-29 NEWS *
======================
On 1998-Jun-01, the FUJI-OSCAR-29 command station released a new status
report regarding the FO-29 satellite. The satellite has been in analog
transponder mode (Mode JA) for some time, and recent solar activity has
induced frequent 2-bit memory errors in the spacecraft's on-board
computer, hampering efforts to upload new software and causing system
malfunctions. The satellite will remain in Mode JA for a while longer
while the 2-bit memory error investigations continue.
The FO-29 command station welcomes reports from radio amateurs who
can confirm that the value of channel '2A' in CW telemetry transmissions
has changed. The value of channel '2A' is transmitted as the 6th item
after 'HI HI'. The value is normally '00'. Reports should be sent to
FO-29 commanders at: lab@jarl.or.jp
[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]
* AMSAT-OSCAR-10 NEWS *
=======================
Stacey Mills, W4SM, reports tha AO-10 downlink signals have improved
considerably in the last two weeks. QSO's are now taking place again
via the satellite and the solar illumination should continue to improve.
Stacey had no problem hearing his own downlink at 30,000 km distance.
This bodes well for this year's field day activities on AO-10. The
satellite will also be orbitally well positioned for field day use this
year.
The low point of this illumination cycle appears to have been around
1998-Apr-24, although the beacon could still be barely heard with deep
QSB at that time. Stacey has revised his estimated ALON/ALAT to be
approximately 100/25 based on these observations. A bit more information
is available at:
http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html
Further updates to the Web page will take place in the next few days as
time permits.
[Info via Stacey Mills, W4SM]
* AMRAD-OSCAR-27 NEWS *
=======================
AMRAD-OSCAR-27 spacecraft controller Michael Wyrick, N4USI, reports that
AO-27 TEPR States:
On 1998-May-02, AO-27's TEPR states were set as follows:
4 = 36 = 18 Minutes
5 = 72 = 36 Minutes
This means AO-27's TX turns on 18 minutes after entering sunlight and stays
on for 18 Minutes. AO-27's TX is turned off at all other times during the
orbit.
Remember, this happens every orbit, 14.2 times a day, around the globe.
This will cause the satellite to be on during the daytime at Northern
latitudes.
[Info via Michael Wyrick, N4USI]
* MESSAGE FROM ANDY THOMAS *
============================
Andy Thomas, the American astronaut working on the space station Mir
posted the following message to the Mir packet radio personal message
system on 1998-May-24 for all radio amateurs:
SUBJECT: THANKS/BYE
I AM ABOUT TO END MY TIME ON MIR AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE HAM OPERATORS
AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAVE SENT MESSAGES. I HOPE IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE
VOLUME OF TRAFFIC HAS MADE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES IMPOSSIBLE BUT WE REALLY
ENJOY YOU MAIL. VOICE HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT PARTICULARLY OVER THE US
AND EUROPE. TOO MANY TALKING AT ONCE. IN THE SHORT TIME I HAVE LEFT I WILL
TRY TO DO VOICE, BUT ASK THAT REPEAT CALLERS STAY OFF THE AIR SO THAT I CAN
GIVE NEW CALLERS A CHANCE FOR A CONTACT. BEST WISHES TO ALL OF YOU.
ANDY THOMAS
P.S. REMEMBER, FOR QSL, CONTACT DAVE LARSEN ON N6CO IN CALIFORNIA.
* IRIDIUM SATELLITE NEWS *
==========================
Motorola's Iridium satellites have become popular spacecraft to watch streak
across the night sky due the brief and predictable -8 magnitude "flare"
that can be seen when sun angles are just right. The "flare" occurs when
an antenna on one of the satellites aligns correctly between your location
and the sun.
Stephen Daniels explains that several Internet Web pages have been developed
for those interested in Iridium flares. One such page is located at:
http://www.satellite.eu.org/sat/vsohp/iridium.html
while information on general satellite observation is available at:
http://www.satellite.eu.org/sat/vsohp/satintro.html
Iridium flare prediction software is also available at the URL listed
above.
Keplerian orbital data may be found at:
http:// www.wingar.demon.co.uk/satevo/index.htm
while online predictions are available at:
http://www.gsoc.dlr.de/satvis/
Further information and discussions relating to visually observing satellites
may be found on the Usenet newsgroup sci.astro.satellite.visual-observe.
Information on a listserver for observations and general mail about visible
satellites may be found at:
http://www.satellite.eu.org/sat/seesat/seesatindex.html
[Info via Steve Daniels]
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John,
KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
WWW : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
PACKET : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19, KITSAT-OSCAR-25
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